The city government will be strictly monitoring business establishments on the implementation of their drainage plan as filled-up canals and drainages have been pointed as among the aggravating factors of floods that have hit the urban areas of the city.
Danilo Dayanghirang, consultant to the city mayor on special concerns said that clogged canals and drains are a common problem, particularly in the city’s first district, which covers a large swathe of Davao City’s major urban center.
The former city councilor cited the problem of a clogged drainage canal along Dakudao Avenue which he said was a result of a business establishment covering certain portions of the canal. Dayanghirang said he has asked the owners to put a manhole on the cover for easy cleaning up of the canal by maintenance crews.
Over in Barangay Datu Luho in Ma-a a taxi company has covered the canal which was primarily intended to relieve flooding in the area.
Construction developments also contribute to clogged drainage with their debris ending up in canals and waterways.
Dayanghirang wants the city engineer’s office to cancel drainage permits if there are violations, or else the CEO can call attention of these developers. However, he admits that the CEO lacks the manpower to cover all business establishments in the city.
“Kelangan, massive effort ng city na imonitor ang compliance sa drainage plan “(massive effort by the city is needed to monitor businesses compliance with their drainage plans) Dayanghirang said, adding that flooding in the city can be mitigated by appropriate engineering interventions and community support in the form of adhering to the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Act which prohibits dumping of wastes in waterways and canals and also by helping in the drainage clean-up drive thru the Food- for- Work program. [PIA11/RG Alama]
